"Speaking"
'Thinking'
"Dragon/Spell"
Chapter 4. Vacation
(With Naruto)
Walking by the Master's side with a relaxed posture, Naruto kept silently glancing around his surroundings with slight confusion. This was because Naruto was within the town of Era that housed the Magical Council, but the building they were within didn't have much protection. Something Naruto found odd as he would have guessed such an important building would have a good amount of defenses. Even the temple Naruto grew up within had more followers guarding him and his mother than the Magic Council had.
"What do you think of the Magic Council so far?" Makarov suddenly chimed in, which made Naruto glance down to the short man.
"Well I'm surprised how unguarded the whole building is. Sure there are a few guards, but for the most part security seems pretty lax for such an important building." Naruto replied in a matter of fact tone as he lifted his brow. "Is that because the council is just that powerful?"
Laughing and shaking his head, Makarov stopped in his tracks and looked up at Naruto. "Not at all, most members of the council are actually quite weak and their power comes from their influence. Sure there are a few powerful members, but for the most part their power is within the laws they uphold."
"I see, so the lack of proper security isn't from their power, but their arrogance." Naruto mumbled as he folded his arms.
"Well there has never been a serious attack on the Magic Council. So there has never been a need to have an outlandish force to protect the council." Makarov explained before letting a small chuckle escape his lips. "Unless you're planning on making an attack!"
"I have no need to do so." Naruto began in a simple voice as he shrugged his shoulders. "I just know my Mother is an incredibly powerful individual and still has a large number of security in our home. Relying on the idea of no one would ever do something or you're strong enough to fight back will always end in your downfall. Recognizing your limits and preparing for the worst are some of the first lessons my Mother taught me."
"She sounds like a wise woman." Makarov praised which made Naruto roll his eyes.
"She can be, of course that's only when she isn't being a controlling tyrant." Naruto grumbled as he blew some air between his lips in frustration.
Absorbing the information about Naruto's mother, Makarov lifted his eyebrow. "You know I would like to know more about you Naruto. Where you came from, what you desire and just what type of magic you truly use." The Wizard Saint began, which made Naruto narrow his eyes at the man. "Since if we are to stand before the Council we better be on the same page."
"I guess that's a good point." Naruto mumbled with a low sigh as he figured he could share a few things with the master, while keeping more of his serious secrets to himself. "For the most part my story is somewhat similar to Lucy's. I was an only child to a very powerful woman and my Father died when I was young. So ever since I could remember my Mother kept me locked away and refused to give me any type of freedom. I guess she was afraid I would end up sharing a similar fate to my dad."
"So like Lucy you ran away." Makarov cut in as he already began to figure out some of Naruto's story.
"It took nearly a dozen attempts and over a decade, but yes I ran away from home." Naruto admitted before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "It's been nearly a year now and I've done everything I can to stay off my mom's radar."
"What do you mean by that?"
Opening his eyes and looking down at Makarov with a razor sharp focus, Naruto simply leaned against the wall behind him. "You already realize my magic is something a little more than magical items."
Giving Naruto a soft laugh, the seasoned wizard quickly nodded. "I knew from the moment we first met my boy. You leak magical power unlike any normal wizard I've ever met, especially one claiming to use magical items."
Naruto gave the man a small chuckle of his own before rubbing the back of his head. "I guess defeating a man as powerful as Jose didn't help with my cover story either."
"Not in the slightest." Makarov replied before lifting his brow. "But you have this old man curious. What is your real magic and why hide it?"
Taking a long winded sigh, Naruto folded his arms over his chest and poked out two fingers. "There have only been two users of my magic in the history of the world. The first was my Mother and the second was me, but don't be offended if I don't share with you what my magic is. Keeping that secret close to my chest is one way I'm trying to stay off my mom's radar."
Makarov merely nodded as he respected Naruto's privacy. "Then I won't ask about your magic unless you wish to tell me in the future. However, I have to ask about your Mother. Would she become an issue like Lucy's Father was? Someone who essentially created some form of magic must be very strong."
"That's a question I don't have a proper answer to if I'm being completely honest." Naruto began in a rather hollow voice as he started to zone out. "My Mother is controlling and very powerful. She's far stronger than I am and without question the strongest magic user I've ever met. So if she ever found me I don't know what length she would go to bring me back home to the temple."
"Hmmm, how would you say her power compares to mine?" Makarov asked calmly, which made Naruto snap his eyes to the man.
"I'm sorry but you don't even come close Master. My Mother is referred to as a God where we are from and it's a title that isn't for show. In all seriousness if she ever found me I wouldn't hold it against you if you just handed me over."
"Absolutely not! You're a child of my guild, God or not, if someone tries to force anything against your will Fairy Tail will fight back with full force!" Makarov declared to a stunned Naruto. "We will never abandon one of our own!"
A faint smile gracing Naruto's lips, the young half dragon was reminded once more that he made the right choice to join the guild. "Well hopefully that day will never come, but in the meantime I've been making a new fighting style to help mask my real magic. It's a spin on my current magic with sword techniques that Erza has shown me. I call it Moon Breathing. It's not as powerful compared to my real magic, but is strong enough to give an excuse for how I beat Jose."
"Which is important as the council will most likely want a detailed report of how you did defeat one of the ten strongest people in the country."
Naruto nodded before standing up straight. "Well in that case let's go meet the council."
Merely nodding his head, Makarov escorted Naruto further into the building before the duo made their way into a massive chamber. Where the entire Magic Council was waiting to judge both Makarov and Naruto over the recent guild war that they had taken part in. Naruto himself noticed a few members of the council were trying to intimidate him with their glares and power. Something that made Naruto almost snort in response, as not a single person here even compared to his mother. Who was the only person that Naruto had any sort of fear of.
"Makarov." The voice of the council's chairman Gran Doma began in a rather low tone. "Once again we find ourselves with a major conflict that your guild is in the center of. This has become a rather frequent occurrence lately."
"I'm not surprised." Michello chimed in with venom behind his voice. "This generation of Fairy Tail is completely out of control."
"Now I think you're being too harsh." Yajima spoke up with a calm aura around him. "Sure Fairy Tail has some destructive tendencies, but this recent conflict falls completely onto Jose and the rest of Phantom Lord."
"That is true, which is why Jose is stripped of his title of Wizard Saint and Phantom Lord will be forcefully disbanded." Gran Doma began which both surprised Makarov and placed him on edge. Fearing what type of repercussions were going to fall upon his guild.
"A fair punishment that should be shared with Makarov and his troublesome guild!" Michello yelled loudly, which made Naruto glare at the man.
"You may feel that way, but Makarov and his guild only acted in retaliation to Jose's numerous attacks." Ultear spoke up in a soft and calm voice. "They can't be held to the same standards as Jose and Phantom Lord."
"Precisely." Gran Doma added in. "Which is why Fairy Tail and Makarov won't receive any punishment for their acts in this illegal guild war."
His eyes going wide in shock, Makarov merely bowed his head. "I thank you for your decision."
"However, there is still another major point of interest." The voice of Siegrain began as his eyes focused directly onto Naruto. "That of course being your little unknown wizard who managed to defeat Jose."
Hearing this Naruto folded his arms since he knew a talk involving his fight with Jose would come up. Yet as he locked eyes with Siegrain he couldn't help himself from thinking he didn't like the man before him.
"Well what do you want to know?" Naruto fired back without hesitation or fear, which made Michello snort.
"How about for starters you explain just how some unknown and arrogant wizard managed to defeat one of the ten strongest people on this continent?"
Snapping his eyes to Michello, Naruto definitely didn't care for this man either. "It's not that hard to figure out. Jose attacked our guild so I fought him and beat him because I'm stronger."
"Yes, that's quite obvious." Gran Doma chimed in as he closed his eyes. "Still what my colleague is really asking is where are you from and just what is your magic? Since our council has records on every legal wizard, but you're a complete unknown."
Taking a sigh and closing his eyes, Naruto planned his next words carefully. "My name is Naruto Namikaze and my magic is called Moon Breathing. I doubt you have any records of me since I joined Fairy Tail during the incident with Phantom Lord."
"And just why did an unknown wizard like yourself join Fairy Tail in the first place?" Gran Doma asked, which made Naruto frown since he was growing tired of the man's meaningless questions.
"I was invited by Erza Scarlet to join the guild." Naruto explained in a matter of fact tone.
"Oh so you're friendly with the Titania huh?" Siegrain asked with a condescending sneer, which made Naruto quickly snap his eyes to the man.
"And what if I am?" The half dragon quipped back, which made the blue haired man laugh.
"Oh no reason in particular, I just have an interesting relationship with her that's all." Siegrain replied in a tone that managed to get under Naruto's skin. "In fact she's given me that same nasty look a time or two."
His hand gliding over the hilt of his sword, Naruto's eyes began to glow with a dangerous cerulean gleam. "If I find out you've ever hurt Erza."
"You'll do what?" Siegrain shot back with a cocky grin, which made Naruto clamp his hand onto his sword. An action that made Makarov slowly sweat at what action his newest wizard would take next.
"Wanna find out?" Naruto asked as his magic slowly started to leak into his weapon.
"Tch, all this anger for little Erza? Not worth the hassle if you ask me." Siegrain shot back, making Naruto slowly tighten his muscles and get ready for an attack.
"That's it asshole let's-. . ."
"That's enough talk about Erza Scarlet, if you wish to continue, do so on your own time!" Gran Doma yelled loudly, which caused Naruto to drop his power and click his teeth before looking away in annoyance. "We are here to offer the freshly vacant title of Wizard Saint to the man who defeated Jose in combat."
"Huh?" Naruto replied with a sneer, while Makarov's jaw dropped.
"Really!" The Master shouted before looking up at the blond by his side. "Naruto this is an incredibly high honor."
Gran Doma nodded. "That it is, so tell me Naruto Namikaze. Will you accept the title offered to you?"
Thinking over his options, Naruto knew spreading his name with such a title would become counterproductive to his goal of hiding from his mother. Yet he had already done the majority of the damage by fighting and beating Jose in the first place. A feat that without question was already echoing his name and power through the kingdom. So sighing to himself and shrugging his shoulders, Naruto nodded his head.
"Yeah sure I'll accept."
Gran Doma nodded and closed his eyes. "Than Naruto Namikaze; the Moon Fairy of Fairy Tail. I welcome you into the Wizard Saints."
(Hokage's Office)
Seated behind his desk with a heavy posture, Kakashi merely gazed forward with a rather hardened expression. Finding himself in the company of Team 10 who consisted of Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka. Team 8 with the members of Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka. Then finally Rock Lee, Tenten and Neji Hyuga as the three members of Team Guy. All of whom were waiting patiently for their leader to address them.
"I appreciate each of you showing up on time." Kakashi began softly before a tired sigh escaped his lips. "Now we are just waiting for my former students."
Smirking at the Hokage's quip directed at the members of Team 7, Kiba pointed a finger at the Copycat Ninja. "Can't blame those jerks for being late. They learned that from you after all."
A bead of sweat dropping from the side of his head, Kakashi merely nodded with his eyes closed. "I guess that I should be held somewhat responsible for their actions."
"At least they didn't take after their other mentors that much." Tenten spoke up as she tried to lighten the mood. "Having a second generation of Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru running around would be much more of a headache."
"I think they each take a little from their Sannin mentors, but I'm more surprised Sai is late as well." Ino chimed in as she brought a finger to her chin. "He normally doesn't get sucked into their team shenanigans."
"Well they were all quite busy and I pulled them back on short notice." Kakashi explained in a rather matter of fact tone. "So I'm sure they will be arriving at any time now."
"Lord Hokage, what is this urgent mission that requires all of us?" Neji suddenly asked in a calm voice, which earned everyone's attention. "We haven't been gathered together like this since the 4th war. I know Team 8 and Team 10 know some information, but I don't like being in the dark like this."
"It's rather complicated and if I'm being honest even Team 8 and Team 10 don't know all the information." Kakashi explained softly before using his hand to massage a kink out of his neck. "Even more so there is information I'm completely in the dark about as well."
Shikamaru, keeping his composure, merely folded his arms and looked at Kakashi. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Taking a long winded breath, Kakashi reached into his desk and retrieved a small worn photograph. Then handing the picture to his subordinates, Kakashi allowed everyone to see the photo that he had kept hidden for so many years. "The client of the mission is a woman by the name of Selene." The seasoned shinobi began as he pointed to the beautiful and pregnant woman depicted in the photo. Who was standing by a smiling Minato Namikaze and a much younger Kakashi.
"Yosh! That's you and the fourth Hokage!" Lee shouted in awe, which made Kakashi nod.
"It's no secret that Minato was my Jonin sensei, but what wasn't well known was his wife Selene." Kakashi explained as he allowed everyone to get a good look at the picture before continuing on. "She was a woman from another dimension with powers that were unlike anything I had seen at the time. In fact I don't believe I had seen power close to Selene until the final battle with Kaguya Otsutsuki."
Hinata gasped at her leader's claim. "But from what I heard she was stronger than Madara and almost defeated you and the rest of Team 7 during the war!"
Kakashi nodded. "Which is one reason I want to cooperate with her. She's a dangerous enemy to have."
Neji narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly does she want?"
Kakashi opened his mouth to speak, but froze the moment a lighthearted chuckle pierced the air. Making those who recognized who was making the noise freeze with the hair on their necks standing straight up.
"Now it's not polite to speak about someone behind their back." The voice of Selene began, as everyone turned to find the woman casually sitting on a couch within the office. A cup of sake within her grasp as she showed no interest to anyone within the room. "Though you shinobi were always the secretive type."
"Who are you!" Lee shouted as he, Neji and Tenten all took defensive stances at their intruder.
"Oh?" Selene began with an amused voice, as she watched all of Team Guy glare at her. "Are you that dense? Little Kakashi just told you who I am? I'm Selene Namikaze and most importantly your current client."
"She's right, stand down." Kakashi ordered sternly, which made everyone relax and Selene laugh before taking a drink from her sake.
"But little Kakashi was getting to the good part about his story." Selene explained as she crossed her legs and smiled. "I'm currently tracking down my son Naruto Namikaze. He foolishly ran away from home and needs to be brought back home and punished."
"Which is why you're all gathered together." Kakashi spoke up softly. "You're being tasked to track Selene's son and bring him back to her."
"I take it you want him back unharmed?" Tenten asked as she looked at the powerful dragon. "After all that would explain why you have all of us gathered to capture one person."
"Oh no you have me all wrong. By all means go after my son with the intention to kill." Selene replied as she waved the rather surprised shinobi off with a casual laugh. "I've trained my little Naruto far too much for him to be killed by some common humans. If you want to succeed you'll have to use everything you have and then some."
"I take it you have some idea of where your son is?" Shikamaru asked as he tried to focus on the logistic side of their mission.
"Yes and no." Selene replied casually as she materialized a bottle of sake from thin air before refilling her cup. "Naruto is most likely in my home dimension and hiding somewhere within the country I was born in. He's a crafty little youngling and knows I would never step a single foot within those lands searching for him."
"Is the land you're from that dangerous?" Neji asked with slight interest, as if Selene was as powerful as Kakashi said any place she wouldn't go could be extremely deadly.
"Only if you're a Dragon like myself, since that little bastard Acnologia is obsessed with hunting and killing my kind. However, for humans like yourself it would be quite trivial to go searching for my son. Who probably counted on using the fact he is only half dragon to blend in with the humans to hide from both me and Acnologia."
"Wait you're a dragon!" Kiba, Choji and Lee all shouted together while others just looked at the woman with disbelief. Something that made Selene snort in annoyance at the reactions she was getting.
"Is that really hard to believe? You humans summon animals the size of a house and fight beasts made of chakra that can't destroy mountains." Selene fired back with little emotion as she sipped on her sake. "It's really not that far of a stretch that I am a dragon who can take a human form."
"No, not really." Shikamaru mumbled softly as he and Kakashi were the only two not that surprised by the woman's claim to be a dragon. "But tell us. Your son Naruto, what does he look like and how strong is he exactly?"
Creating a magical projectection of her son for everyone to see, Selene couldn't help herself from smirking at the blushing girls looking at her child. "This is my son Naruto, he's a user of Moon Dragon magic like myself, but still hasn't reached my level yet. He also has chakra and knows of his secondary source of power. However, he's never tried to train or harness the abilities he inherited from Minato. Still I must give one grave warning about my son."
Kakashi lifted his brow. "And what would that be?"
Selene closed her eyes and chuckled. "Be very cautious what abilities you use near my son. He has a knack for copying abilities with just a simple observation or taking what he's seen and mixing it into his own magic if he can't outright copy what he's seen. It's a gift that unfortunately allowed my son to learn more from me and even my followers that I actually wanted to teach him."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru mumbled softly, as this mission was getting more and more difficult as he learned more about their target.
Suddenly the door to the office was opened to reveal four individuals that made Kakashi sigh in relief. "It seems everyone is finally here."
Selene looking at the final shinobi tasked with capturing her son smiled with a twisted grin. "Now isn't this interesting." The dragon began with a small hint of amusement as she locked eyes with a single person with crimson hair. "You look exactly like your mother."
(With Erza)
Sitting silently at a makeshift picnic table, Erza watched several members of the guild work diligently on completely remodeling the guildhall. Considering, after all the damages caused from the scuffle with Phantom Lord it was unanimously decided to just rebuild the guild bigger and better than do repairs on the building. Yet Erza herself had taken a small break from helping with the remodeling and just sat off to the side in a daze. This was due to the girl worrying over what was happening with Naruto and the Magic Council. Finding herself unable to focus on anything while the future of her new favorite blond was up in the air.
However, as Erza sat alone a sudden giggle grabbed her attention and a plate of strawberry cake was laid out beside her. Making Erza glance away from the cake and up to the figure of Mirajane. Who was clutching a serving tray close to her chest and smiling innocently.
"Now why are you acting all depressed?" Mirajane asked softly as she backed away slightly. "Don't tell me you're missing your little boyfriend."
A dark blush filling her face, Erza looked away from her former rival. "Naruto isn't my boyfriend."
"Oh I never said I was talking about Naruto." Mirajane snickered with a wide grin before giving Erza a wink. "But I'm glad to know he's free for the taking!"
Snapping her eyes at the white haired pinup girl, Erza's glare alone was enough to get her message across. "That's not amusing."
Waving her friend off, Mirajane merely laughed softly. "Don't be so uptight Erza, I don't have any intention of getting between you two. Naruto isn't my type anyhow, you know I like bad boys."
Making a small pout and grabbing the cake by her side, Erza quickly began to eat her favorite snack. "I don't understand where you're getting the idea that I have a thing for Naruto."
Rolling her eyes at Erza's stubbornness, Mirajane blew some air between her lips. "Oh please Erza, we have known each other for years. I can tell you look at and treat our newest member differently than you do everyone else. Honestly I find your little crush cute."
"It's not a crush." Erza shot back in a stern voice, which made Mirajane lift her brow.
"Really? Then care to explain why you treat Naruto so differently from the other boys like Natsu and Gray?"
Her eyes twitching, Erza slowly used a fork to poke the cake in her hands. "You wouldn't understand it, but his scent is calming to my senses. His voice is soothing to hear and he just has an aura about him that keeps me drawn in."
Blinking at Erza's words, Mirajane let a loud giggle escape her lips. "So basically you have a crush!"
"It's not that simple okay!" Erza yelled in anger, which only made Mirajane laugh louder.
"Well lucky for you Naruto's back and he's walking over to make things much simpler." Mirajane replied as she pointed off to the side. "He actually looks very eager to see you."
Closing her eyes and lifting a piece of cake to her mouth, Erza kept a calm and graceful demeanor. "Please Mira, you think I would fall for such an easy trick? I'm not Natsu, you'll have to try much harder than that." Erza declared before placing the piece of cake into her mouth.
"Hey Erza, I'm back!" Naruto announced loudly as he was standing directly beside the crimson haired knight. Catching her completely off guard and making Erza spit the cake from her mouth out in a gush of spit and cake bits.
"I tried to warn you." Mirajane giggled innocently as she watched Erza's embarrassment grow along with her red cheeks.
"Hey are you okay?" Naruto quickly asked before placing a hand on Erza's back and bending down to the girl's eye level. "You're not choking are you?"
"I'm fine." Erza replied as she repressed her embarrassment and sent a fake glare at Naruto. "And don't go sneaking up on me like that!"
"Sorry, that's my bad." Naruto began as he rubbed the back of his head. "I got a little too excited about seeing you after getting back!"
Watching Erza's face glow red to the point where she was practically overheating, Mirajane simply laughed and waved goodbye. "I would love to stay and watch this some more, but I have things to do."
"Later Mira!" Naruto replied with a large grin as he moved his eyes back to Erza. Noticing the girl had finally started to recompose herself. "And again sorry about that Erza!"
"It's fine, how was your visit to the Council with the Master?" Erza asked softly, which made Naruto produce a single medallion.
"Well they cleared us of all charges and made me a Wizard Saint for beating Jose." Naruto revealed to a stunned Erza, who couldn't hide the look of disbelief on her face.
"Naruto, that's incredible!"
"It's not that big of a deal." Naruto shot back as he casually sat the medallion down. Showing how little the half dragon cared for the title. "So far I've met three people who held this title besides myself and the Master is the only one I hold any respect for."
Erza, having her interest slightly peaked, lifted her brow at what Naruto had said. "Obviously Jose is one of those three, but who is the last person?"
Grunting in annoyance, Naruto folded his arms. "Some asshole I met back at the Council named Siegrain." The Moon Dragon replied as he could hear Erza's heart rate grow faster instantly. "He mentioned knowing you and managed to piss me off in the process."
"What did he say?" Erza asked softly, as her head was down while her normal prideful and strong demeanor was completely sapped from her body.
"He only mentioned knowing you and hinted at you two not having a very positive relationship with one another."
"Oh I see." Erza trailed off as she suddenly felt a jolt through her body the moment Naruto placed a hand on her arm. Making the scarlet haired knight look at the blond by her side and finding his glowing blue eyes looking at her with a protective gaze.
"Has he ever hurt you?" Naruto asked in a hollow voice as his eyes got a rather dangerous look of wrath behind them. "If so I'll go pay him another visit and take care of him myself."
Her eyes going wide in surprise, Erza merely held her hands up. "No, no it's fine! I may not like Siegrain as a person, but he's never done anything harmful to me! Plus he's on the Magic Council so even if he did do something you would get in trouble for going after him!"
"Like I care." Naruto mumbled back without even thinking about his words. "If anyone ever hurts you I'll show them my claws without question."
"Claws?" Erza repeated with a confused voice, which made Naruto slightly curse and cough into his hand.
"It's just a figure of speech, I mean use my fists or uh sword! I don't have actual claws that would be silly! No person has actual claws! Well unless they have a magic that gives them claws, which I don't have! Cause I have completely normal human magic! Not saying there is any difference from human magic and other creatures magic I uh-. . ."
Laughing at Naruto and slightly leaning into him, Erza lightly tapped the babbling and nervous boy over the chest. "I understand what you're saying. You don't have to get so worked up."
Taking a deep sigh to compose himself, Naruto merely nodded back at Erza with a smile. "Sorry, I don't know what got over me there!"
"It's fine." Erza replied softly as found the hidden quirky side of Naruto rather cute and amusing. "But I appreciate what you said. It makes me feel better knowing I have you looking out for me."
"Don't mention it! You're practically the first friend I've ever made, so I gotta keep you safe and happy!"
"Well in that case I'll do the same for you." Erza declared in a bold voice, which sent both young wizards into an air of silence. However, the duo was quickly interrupted by one Lucy Heartfilia who came running up to the pair with a heavy breath.
"Lucy?" Naruto mumbled in a confused voice as he watched the girl bend over to steady her breathing. "Are you okay?"
Snapping up with a golden key in one hand, Lucy seemed rather excited. "Guys! Loki was a Celestial Spirit and I have his key now!"
"What?" Erza gasped while Naruto tilted his head.
"Who?"
"And since he can't use these anymore!" Lucy continued without taking a breath as she pulled up a handful of tickets. "We get to take a vacation!"
"Really!" Erza replied in an excited voice.
"A what?" Naruto mumbled.
"We are gonna leave tomorrow for Akane Beach! I gotta go tell Natsu, Gray and Happy!" Lucy quickly explained before running off. Leaving Naruto and Erza alone once again.
"What just happened!" Naruto yelled loudly, as he suddenly felt Erza grip tightly on his arm.
"Come let's go tell the Master we are leaving tomorrow and start packing for our trip." Erza ordered as she started to drag Naruto off.
"I don't even have things to pack!" Naruto cried out as Erza suddenly stopped dragging him off.
"Oh that's right! I'll have to take you shopping then to get a few things!"
(Akane Beach)
Sweat dripping down his face, Naruto kept a powerful grip on his wooden sword as he went through several different forms and techniques. His feet twisting and kicking up the sand beneath his feet as he practiced his swordsmanship. Then as Naruto thrusted his sword outward with a powerful strike he froze and took a moment to catch his breath. Finding the hot sun pounding down against his skin as he wore nothing besides a pair of red swimming trunks that Erza had bought for him since he didn't have any proper beach attire or money.
"That felt a little better." Naruto mumbled at his own progress as he dropped his sword to his side and used his hand to wipe his forehead. Ignorant to the sea of women that were watching him with hearts in their eyes. "Now to throw my magic into the mix!"
Grinning wide and gripping his sword, Naruto was about to kick back into his training. However, the sound of someone roughly clearing their throat caught his attention and made him look over his shoulder. Finding Erza standing a few feet away in a red bikini that matched the trunks he was wearing. However, as the girl had her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face Naruto couldn't help himself from chuckling nervously.
"What do you think you're doing?" Erza asked in a stern voice, which made Naruto hold his sword out.
"Uh training?"
Placing her hands on her hips and slightly bending over, Erza gave Naruto a hard stare. "We are on vacation. You can train when we go back to the guild."
"Why does being on vacation mean I can't train?"
"Because you're supposed to have fun on vacation."
"But training is fun!"
Rolling her eyes, Erza was about to snap back until she remembered something. Naruto had been locked away with his mother his entire life. Making the girl realize that Naruto might not even know what to do on a vacation. "Naruto, have you ever been on a vacation?"
"Well uh, not really."
"I see, in that case give me your sword." Erza demanded in a tone that left no room for argument.
Handing over his wooden weapon, Naruto watched in surprise as Erza instantly sent the weapon into the pocket space where she kept all her weapons.
"Hey my sword!"
"You'll get it back after our vacation is over. Until then we are going to participate in fun activities like building sandcastles and playing beach volleyball."
Slumping over in defeat, Naruto nodded at Erza's orders. "Fine, but I have a question for you."
"We'll feel free to ask what's on your mind. Just don't ask if you can train later today or something like that."
Walking by Erza's side Naruto held his hands up and tried to use his words with caution. "Okay but this question is about my swordsmanship so don't get upset since I'm still talking about swords."
Sighing and closing her eyes, Erza started to walk at a brisk pace and just nodded. "What would you like to ask about swords?"
"Well I realized in my fight with Jose I need a better weapon. Maybe a real sword that could amplify my magic or something that could help me against stronger opponents."
"I see, in that case I'll try and help you find something when we return to the guild."
Smiling with a beaming wide smile, Naruto slung his arm over Erza's shoulder. "Thanks Erza, you're the best!"
Blushing with her head down, Erza tried to keep her composure. "Don't mention it, but let's go find the others. Maybe we could bury Natsu in the sand?"
Laughing loudly and tossing his head back, Naruto got a rather mischievous look in his eyes. "Now that sounds more fun than training!"
A small giggle escaping her lips, Erza merely nodded in agreement. Yet her amusement suddenly dropped the moment she spotted Lucy in the distance surrounded by two strange men.
"What's going on over there?" Erza mumbled in a dangerously low voice.
Naruto looking forward and narrowing his eyes saw Lucy nervously hold her hands up at the two strange men. "Are they harassing Lucy?" The half dragon asked in a rather hollow tone, as he and Erza both started stalking their way closer to their friend.
"Not if I can help it." Erza declared as her eyes turned into nothing more than glowing red orbs. Yet Erza wasn't the only one with growing eyes, as Naruto's were a bright blue color and fixated on the men around the girl he saw as a younger sister.
Lucy, unaware of her fellow guildmates simply pointed off to the side with an awkward expression. "Uh I think if you two head that-. . ." The girl tried to explain, but stopped in shock the moment Naruto and Erza both appeared by her side and kicked the men she was speaking to into the ground.
"What do you think you're doing to our friend!" Erza yelled loudly, while Naruto's body got a faint outline of his Moon Dragon magic.
"You idiots picked the wrong girl to mess with!" Naruto added in as he started to crack his knuckles. "Now you gotta deal with us!"
"Naruto! Erza!" Lucy shrieked in a loud and embarrassed voice. "Why would you do that? They were just asking where the umbrella rental stand was!"
The duo looking at Lucy before blinking merely switched their gaze to each other. "Ohhhh." Naruto and Erza mumbled softly as they turned and looked at the two twitching men laying in the sand. "Our bad!"
Taking a deep sigh and pressing her hand against her face, Lucy merely shook her head. "How in Earthland did people who share a brain cell like you two do find each other?"
Hearing no response, Lucy removed her hand to find both Naruto and Erza running off. A sight that made the Celestial Spirit wizard drop her jaw. "Are you kidding me!" Lucy yelled in disbelief before taking a bow at the two unconscious men beside her. "I'm so sorry for my friends. And you two get back here!"
(With Erza)
Sleeping within the hotel room she shared with Lucy, Erza was quietly recovering from the busy day at the beach she had shared with her friends. Yet the scarlet haired beauty wasn't having peaceful dreams as she was busy tossing and turning in her sleep. Memories of her haunting past causing her to reflect back onto the time in her life she wished never happened. Yet as Erza tossed in her own nightmares and loud knocking at her door suddenly woke the girl. Making Erza instantly shoot up with a shortened breath.
"Hey Erza, are you ready? Everyone else is waiting for us!" The voice of Naruto called out from outside of the room.
Her senses returning to her, Erza took a deep sigh and looked at the door. "Just one moment!" The crimson haired knight yelled back as she stepped out of her bed and quickly used her magic to switch into an elegant red dress. Then by walking towards the door Erza quickly opened the door to find a smirking Naruto who was dressed in his regular kimono.
"You look rather beautiful." Naruto complemented as he offered out his arm.
Blushing at the comment and hooking her arm around Naruto's own. Erza was quickly escorted down the hall by her fellow wizard. "And you look rather handsome as well despite wearing what you always have on."
Laughing at the jab at his wardrobe, Naruto used his free hand to wave Erza off. "Don't mess with what works if you ask me! Besides this is about the only shred of clothing I own!"
"It seems besides finding you a new weapon you also need to update your wardrobe even more. Just getting a few pairs of swimming trunks won't help for day to day activities."
"Don't forget I also need a house when we get back to the guild too!"
"And just how do you plan on buying all these things?" Erza asked with a laugh.
"Well I can either keep burrowing off you or strike it big in the casino tonight!" Naruto declared boldly, which made Erza nod.
"Well by all means please win big for the both of us!"
"I'll have you know my luck is somewhat legendary back at the temple I was raised in!" Naruto declared boldly, while Erza merely lifted her brow with interest.
"Well we will just have to place that luck to the test, but I'm curious. You've told me a few things about your mother. Like that she is a powerful wizard and she wouldn't let you leave your home until you ended up running away. Still I want to know more about your early life."
"Hmmmm is that so? I could say the exact same thing for you Erza." Naruto replied as he looked forward with a blank stare. "But I'll tell you what! For every small thing you share with me I'll answer any question you have with reason."
Erza herself nodded and looked off in a daze, as her past was only something a very few people like the Master knew of. However, she was starting to really trust and like the blond by her side. Thinking just maybe he could be someone that she could open up to about her past.
"Well I was originally from a small village called Rosemary." Erza revealed as she kept her starting information rather simple and not too revealing. "Where are you from?"
Taking a sigh, Naruto much like Erza trusted and enjoyed the company of his fellow wizard. So he didn't mind telling Erza about some of his secrets, but at the same time Naruto wanted to keep things simple and basic just like Erza was doing. "I didn't grow up in a traditional village or town. According to my Mom I was born in my old man's village called Konoha. However, shortly after he died protecting the lives of the people of the village my Mother took me to a place called Blackmoon Mountain. It was a remote location where one of her personal temples was located. That was essentially my home for eighteen years before I ran off on my own."
"You talk a lot about your mother, I never knew either of my parents. I don't even know their names." Erza admitted, which made Naruto scratch his head at this revelation.
"Then how did you get the last name Scarlet?"
A small ping of pain hitting her chest, Erza forced herself to fake a smile. "That's a rather long story."
"Let me guess the ending." Naruto spoke up with a quick smile. "It involves the beautiful scarlet hair you have."
A blush filling her face followed by a lighthearted laugh, Erza nodded. "To over simplify things, yes."
The duo approaching their way closer and closer to the main gambling hall, Naruto couldn't help himself from grinning wide at Erza. "Well it's a fitting name."
"I agree, but speaking of names, mind telling me the names of your parents?" Erza asked softly, which made Naruto stop for a second and Erza to take a stop as well. Quickly worrying that she had overstepped her boundaries with the blond by her side. "That's only if you wish to share that with me! I don't want-. . ."
"It's fine Erza." Naruto cut in with a small laugh, as he found her behavior rather cute. "I don't mind telling you their names, it's just I haven't talked about either of them by name in so long it caught me off guard. My old man's name was Minato Namikaze and in my Mother's stories was described as a great man."
"I'd love to hear those stories sometime then." Erza replied softly, which made Naruto nod with a smile.
"Of course I only have a handful of stories." Naruto admitted before he and Erza began to walk once more. "Mom didn't like to talk about Dad much and normally only did so when she was feeling sentimental or drunk."
"And what was your Mother's name?" Erza asked as she and Naruto entered the main gambling hall. Where dozens of different games and people were scattered everywhere.
"Selene." Naruto answered back without even thinking, which made Erza reflect back. Swearing to herself she had heard that name before. However, she didn't have long to think as the voice of Lucy suddenly caught her attention.
"Naruto! Erza!" The blond wizard shouted out, as she waved the duo down from her seat at a blackjack table. "I saved you two some seats! Come play!"
Naruto waving back quickly led Erza over to Lucy, finding himself a seat by his fellow blond with Erza by his side. "Looks like we made it right in time for a dealer change! Hey where are the others?"
"Oh they are somewhere around here." Lucy answered with a loud laugh. "I'm sure you'll hear Natsu running around in a few minutes."
"Let's just hope he can behave himself." Erza chimed in, which made Lucy roll her eyes.
"Or attack anyone like you two did."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "We already told you it was a big misunderstanding!"
"Exactly, we were just looking out for you Lucy!" Erza added, which made the blond smile.
"I know and I appreciate the thought." Lucy replied as a new dealer joined their table and started to shuffle the cards in his hands. "I always feel at ease knowing you two are watching out for me."
"It seems you're rather popular Erza." The dealer spoke up, which made Naruto snap his eyes at their dealer. Watching as he quickly tossed five cards in front of Erza, which perfectly spelled out the word death. "But you always were likable big sis."
"Who are you?" Erza quickly asked, but froze the moment the entire room went pitch black. Followed by screams and the sound of a gunshot filling the room.
"What's going on!" Lucy screamed in shock.
Naruto himself kept a calm and cool demeanor, using his superior eyesight to watch the man before him in the darkness. Making sure to keep Lucy and Erza safe in the rather abrupt confusion. Watching the man before him using some type of magic on the random civilians around their location, but not targeting him or the girls by his side. Making Naruto think something more complicated was going on. Yet just as fast as the lights went off they came back on to reveal an empty gambling hall. Meanwhile the mysterious dealer was casually dropping cards to his side. Cards that had magically trapped every other person within the area inside.
"What exactly is going on?" Naruto mumbled in a low voice, as he watched the man carefully. His nose already smelling a few more scents coming closer to his location.
"Sho?" Erza suddenly spoke up, which made the man laugh.
"So you do remember me big sis!" The now named Sho shouted in a hysterical craze.
"Since when can you use magic!" Erza yelled back, as Naruto was now very interested in what was going on. However, Lucy was the one to voice their concern.
"Erza, who is this guy? And why does he call you big sis?"
"Yeah why don't you tell them Erza!" A new voice shouted happily, as Naruto and Lucy both found strange orange bindings suddenly constricting around their body. Bindings that were so tight that they made Lucy collapse onto her side, but Naruto just simply stood still completely unfazed.
"Miliana!" Erza yelled in disbelief as she looked at the cat-like girl. "You can use magic as well!"
"You'd be surprised how easy learning magic is." A new voice spoke up, as another man made themselves known to the group.
"W-Wally!"
"The one and only." The now named Wally replied before a fourth person phased into view from the shadows.
"It's been a while Erza."
"Simon! When did you all learn magic!"
Naruto continuing to watch in silence knew these were the only four people that were ambushing them. Yet he didn't know why they were doing so, just that these strange people were connected to Erza in some way.
"You'd be surprised what can happen in a couple years, big sis." Sho chuckled as the four attackers all grouped together to stand across Erza. The latter of whom was at a complete loss of words.
"Erza, who are these guys?" Lucy gasped loudly as she was trying to fight against the bindings.
"We all grew up together." Erza explained softly, as her body was numb. "We aren't related by blood, but I knew them before I joined the guild."
"And now it's time for you to come home big sis." Sho declared making Erza's heart sink, which was a reaction Naruto saw clear as day.
"From where I'm standing it doesn't look like she wants to go anywhere with you." Naruto spoke up as he stood his ground and didn't budge from the bindings that were trying even harder to strangle him. "So how about you think twice before upsetting Erza in front of me."
Wally merely laughed and morphed his arm into a gun. A weapon he pointed at Naruto with casual confidence. "Look moron, we already killed your little friends and you look a little tied up. So I would stay out of things that don't concern you before you and that blond bitch end up dying next."
Shaking his head with a small laugh, Naruto could feel his anger coming out. Making his demeanor take a shift that resembled that of his mother. "For one I can hear Gray and Natsu's hearts beating just fine. Secondly." Naruto began before he snapped out of his bindings and appeared right in front of Wally before anyone could blink. Then by using his hand to firmly grasp Wally's neck, Naruto effortlessly lifted the man into the air and started to strangle the man. "Don't talk back to me with such arrogance when threatening my friends, you insect."
"Wally!" Sho shouted as he watched his friend slowly lose the life in his eyes.
"Stop this before I break that blond girl in half!" Miliana threatened in a desperate voice, which made Naruto extend his free hand out and open his palm.
"Try it." Naruto mumbled as he glanced at the girl with his blue eyes that shifted into his dragonic pair. Striking instant fear within the cat-like girl at the intimating irises glaring at her. "I'd kill you before you could move."
"Naruto!" Erza suddenly yelled loudly, which made the blond pause for a second. "Please don't hurt them!"
Hearing the request, Naruto didn't know anything that was going on. Yet he respected Erza's wishes and choices. So he quickly dropped Wally onto the ground and lowered his hand. Vanishing in another burst of speed to appear by Lucy's side and free the girl before anyone could even process his speed.
"Fine, but I want to know what's going on here." Naruto mumbled as he helped Lucy back onto her feet. "So someone better start talking. Because like my Mother I don't have a lot of patience."
Erza looking at the friends from her past and then at her new comrades merely hung her head. "It's a rather long and depressing tale."
Naruto walking over to Erza softly picked the girl's chin up and looked into her eyes with a caring look that completely countered his earlier wrath. "Don't forget I promised to keep you happy and safe. So no matter what happened in the past I'll be here to protect your future."
A blush filling her cheeks, Erza felt a small tear in the corner of her eye. "Thank you."
"Don't think-. . ." Sho began but froze when Naruto snapped his gaze at him.
"I won't harm you out of Erza's wishes." Naruto cut in as he glared at Sho with his anger returning. "So you four stay right there and shut up. When I'm done talking to Erza then I'll deal with you guys." His eyes then moving back to Erza, Naruto took a deep breath to calm himself. "So Erza, go ahead. Start from the beginning."
Erza nodded softly. "It all started when my home town was attacked-. . ."
(Chapter End)
And another chapter done! Thanks for reading and before I go I'll address something that people might wonder about. That of course being how is Neji alive? Well Naruto might have a stand in with Kushina's child, but that doesn't mean things go just like cannon. For example, no Naruto means Hinata didn't try to sacrifice herself to save him and that means Neji didn't have to die. A minor change among many others that will show up in time to come.